Back to school: Iron County has big plans for students

The end of the summer means getting the kids and their parents back into school mode. But how do teachers really feel about getting back into the swing of things? Susana Victoria Perez has more.
Buzz60

Elementary and secondary school students in Iron County head back to class Aug. 14, 2018. Kindergartners start Aug. 16.(Photo: Getty Images)

Corrections & Clarifications: a previous version of this story misstated when Kindergarten begins. It will start August 23.

Teachers and staff have big plans this year for the 9,200-plus students of Iron County. While kids are gathering school supplies and backpacks, instructors are prepped to continue their evidence-based strategies for student learning.

The county's elementary and secondary students will begin the 2018 school year Tuesday. Kindergartners are set to start August 23.

“We’ve been on this journey for a while now,” said Steve Burton, director of elementary education for the Iron County School District.

The district employs the methods of professor John Hattie, education researcher and author. His approach helps teachers see learning through the eyes of their students and offers proven strategies for maximum impact on student education.

Burton said each school will select its own strategy, and teachers will take part in weekly grade-level meetings to compare data on how well the students are learning. Effectiveness of the methods are assessed and potentially changed to ensure student success. The school district has used this system for the past several years, he said.

'Every Child ... Every Day: Whatever It Takes'

Teacher morale received a back-to-school boost during this year’s Opening Institute on Thursday when teacher and author Kyle Schwartz served as keynote speaker and shared her expertise in support of this year’s district motto, “Every Child … Every Day: Whatever It Takes.” Schwartz holds the “Distinguished Teacher” designation from Denver Public Schools. She is the author of the 2016 bestseller, “I Wish My Teacher Knew: How One Question Can Change Everything for Our Kids.” Schwartz signed more than 500 copies for teachers in the district.

Burton says the quality and dedication of Iron County School District's teachers set them apart.

“I think we’re blessed to have the teachers that we have. As I look out into our community, I think they are some of the best people in our community,” Burton said. “They model the best ethics. They’re leaders in the community and I think our students are in the best hands.”

To ease anxiety for students and especially for parents, some schools held Back to School Night on Thursday.

“Anytime we can have parents in the building it’s a benefit for us and for the students,” Burton said.

Pushing for safer schools

While teachers focus on students, school district Superintendent Shannon Delaney is overseeing the expansion of preschool space for the ever-growing district and getting ready to guide a $92 million bond issue to the ballot this November.

“The main focus of that bond is securing our buildings,” she said.

Iron County students in elementary, middle and high school go back to class Aug. 14, 2018.(Photo: Mark Henle/The Republic)

She explained that about one-third of the bond funds would be used to increase security for school buildings; that’s part of a statewide push to protect students in an age of school violence. The other two-thirds likely would be used to replace two aging schools: South Elementary and East Elementary. Public hearings for the proposed bond issue will be held in September.

Delaney said that the South Preschool addition is under construction and set for completion in January. The addition is part of a districtwide reconfiguration of classroom space to accommodate more students and more programs.

Although juggling multiple projects, Delaney still feels that back-to-school excitement.

“I’m excited about the opportunities for the students and the educators for learning,” she said. “That’s one of the perks about being an educator and being involved in our schools is we have those opportunities for learning and growth every day.”